The PMI offers an experienced route into its membership structure, bypassing PMI’s formal qualifications and 5 Pathways to recognise and value real-world experience, skills, and accomplishments. The PMI acknowledges there are many professionals who have extensive, practical knowledge and skills they have gained on the job, which can be equivalent to qualified PMI members.

If you have demonstrable skills and have made valuable contributions to the Pensions and Lifelong learning skills sector, we recognise having you join our Member community would have a positive affect for the institute, it’s membership and to the wider sector by learning from individuals with diverse educational and career backgrounds wo have transitioned into this industry through non-traditional routes.  

For someone who has been working in the field for many years, having a recognised credential (EPMI) can open new opportunities and raise my profile and standing in the sector. You may not need to take up formal qualifications due to the experience and knowledge you have already gained but you will be still able to benefit from our vast products and services especially tailored for senior members of the institute such as technical conferences and events including roundtables, training courses (online and F2F), Mentoring and Networking opportunities and much more.

To become an Associate or Fellow member of the PMI you must have successfully completed the ADRP or a full Pathway. In addition to becoming eligible for Fellowship you will need to have been an Associate member for a minimum of 5 years with 5 years continuous CPD. Currently these are the only routes to Fellowship so even if you do hold EPMI status with the PMI there is no route to transition to APMI or FPMI without completing a Pathway or the ADRP.  

You will need to prove that you have served a minimum of 10 years in a senior role within the Pensions sector or wider industry and preferably two referees who are widely known in the sector including one FPMI member. The PMI team will review your application and confirm if you have met the standard required for this membership. If you don’t yet meet the standard set, you do have other options available to you.

You may wish to join as an affiliate member to take advantage of PMI’s wide range of member benefits or you may want to consider becoming qualified and joining the professional route which takes you from student to fellow.

CPD became compulsory for PMI Fellows in 2010 and for Associates in 2011. Although CPD is not compulsory for other members, the scheme and recording system is open to all. To get access, please contact Membership team.

Recording your CPD demonstrates that you are working to ensure your knowledge and skills are up to date. By participating in the CPD programme, you act to mitigate risk and enhance your skills and competences, enabling employers, stakeholders and clients to feel confident in your abilities as a professional.

The CPD year runs from 1 January to 31 December. A summary of the CPD scheme can be found below.

These regulations are made by the Board under article 13 of the Institute’s Articles of Association. They cover the CPD scheme for PMI members but do not cover the CPD requirements of the PMI Accredited Adviser Programme (PMI AAP), which has its own separate CPD regulations.

The key points to be aware of are as follows:

• CPD is compulsory for Fellows and Associate Members of the PMI
• the scheme requires a minimum of 25 hours relevant CPD to be completed each year
• at least 50% of the recorded content must be focused on pensions and retirement savings subjects. However, in recognition of the wide range of appointments that members undertake, particularly more senior members, the remaining 50% of CPD can cover the wider aspects of business such as IT, management, financial, business ethics and legal matters
• a basic principle of the scheme is that CPD should be additional to paid employment. However, we are aware that many members are in positions such as training and consultancy where research is required in advance of customer meetings. In conversations with members we have taken the position that the time spent on this research can be counted as part of CPD, on the principle that this meets the CPD requirement to keep up-to-date, but the customer facing time cannot be counted since this is part of paid employment

Members can update their CPD records by logging in to the members' area at the top of this page and selecting 'MY PMI'. Once logged in, choose the My CPD tab to list all your activities.

If you prefer to register your CPD manually please download a copy of the CPD record sheet below.

If you wish to record a self-declaration for CPD completed under the auspices of another professional institute please download the form below.